• Letter

Time-reversal symmetry breaking in the superconducting state of ScS

Arushi, R. K. Kushwaha, D. Singh, A. D. Hillier, M. S. Scheurer, and R. P. Singh
Phys. Rev. B 106, L020504 – Published 25 July 2022
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Abstract

We have studied the electronic properties of ScS, a transition-metal monochalcogenide with a rocksalt crystal structure, using magnetization, specific heat, transport, and muon spin rotation/relaxation (μSR) measurements. All measurements confirm the bulk superconductivity in ScS with a transition temperature of TC=5.1(5) K. Specific heat together with transverse-field μSR measurements indicate a full gap, while our zero-field μSR study reveals the presence of spontaneous static or quasistatic magnetic fields emerging when entering the superconducting state. We discuss various possible microscopic origins of the observed time-reversal symmetry breaking. As none of them can be readily reconciled with a conventional pairing mechanism, this introduces ScS as a candidate material for unconventional superconductivity.

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  • Received 2 April 2022
  • Revised 11 July 2022
  • Accepted 12 July 2022

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.106.L020504

©2022 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Condensed Matter, Materials & Applied Physics

Authors & Affiliations

Arushi1, R. K. Kushwaha1, D. Singh2, A. D. Hillier2, M. S. Scheurer3, and R. P. Singh1,*

  • 1Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal, Bhopal 462066, India
  • 2ISIS Facility, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot OX11 0QX, United Kingdom
  • 3Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria

  • *rpsingh@iiserb.ac.in

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Issue

Vol. 106, Iss. 2 — 1 July 2022

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